BREACHING 101: If the initial breach fails, have pre-planned contingency plans to move to the second or third entry point. If that is not an option, prepare for surround and call-out, and establish a chemical agents and negotiations plan as well.

During this training video the BlueSheepDog Crew will analyze a home-made video of a police SWAT team’s failed breach attempt. As the video will clearly show, the wet weather and narrow front door landing made this particular breach dangerous from the beginning. However, there are several other important factors to consider in the decisions to breach, the method used to breach, and the number of personnel available and needed to safely make a breach.

Making a forced entry into a structure suspected or known to have a dangerous suspect inside is one of the most dangerous activities police are required to perform. The old saying, “a man knows his own castle, and how to defend it” has a lot of truth in these circumstances. Police are often required to enter structures with little or no intelligence on the layout, obstacles, and fortifications of the structure inside. For those reasons, these police actions must be extraordinarily planned and

The use of armored vehicles, like this LENCO Bear Cat, increased after 9-11, and can assist officers in the overall concept being studied.

This is the third installment of our series examining the concept of, “Speed, Surprise, and Violence of Action”. In Part I we detailed our opinions of the good and bad of Speed. In Part II we evaluated how Surprise can be both beneficial and costly. Now, in Part III, we will evaluate the term, “Violence of Action”.

Words provide powerful images in the American dialogue. This is even more important when the government (police) interact with the citizenry. Our country’s foundation was on the principles of liberty and freedom from tyranny. Even 240 years later, those principles ring true, and as American law enforcement we should cautiously guard our training philosophies to prevent the good and public-endorsed enforcement of the law, to turn into the over-bearing weight of a powerful government.

The use of armored vehicles, like this LENCO Bear Cat, increased after 9-11.

SURPRISE – is probably the most misunderstood component of this entire tactical philosophy. Defined as, “an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing”, Surprise can be a very valuable ally to police tactical operations. Surprise can also be a very shifty and non-trustworthy companion, changing sides in a heartbeat.

The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) recently announced the development and launch of the NTOA Academy in 2016. The new NTOA Academy is a crowning achievement of the NTOA’s mission to train and prepare tactical operators, and will be a partnership of the NTOA and the International Academy of Public Safety (IAPS). The NTOA Academy will seek to partner with State and Regional tactical officer associations; as well as, State and Local training academies to advance the curriculum in a more comprehensive and systematic approach.

NTOA hopes to establish training doctrines and programs providing “best practices” approaches to modern tactical problems, with the ultimate goal of providing tactical officers with “national certifications” as tactical operators and specialists. For nearly 30 years NTOA has offered a wide variety of specialized training courses designed to provide law enforcement tactical officers with the skills and decision-making ability to carry out the various missions tactical teams may confront. The new NTOA Academy appears it will take that training to an even higher level.

Speed and surprise are fine things, like this F-18 at the point of breaking the sound barrier (photo on Pinterest.)

Ever heard the saying, “SPEED, SURPRISE AND VIOLENCE OF ACTION“?

If you’ve been in American law enforcement for more than a couple of years there’s a good chance you’ve heard this concept at least once. The terminology has been widely used within American law enforcement SWAT Teams for decades, and in some cases has spread out to patrol and other police units. However, the concept actually originated in the military.

Sounds cool, right? Well it sure is, most of the time! I have performed many missions under this philosophy and they have created some very memorable moments. However, law enforcement must be really cautious when mixing military actions, philosophies, and terminology with the civilian enforcement of the law. Don’t believe me? Read on!

This case is a little over a year old, but the decision of the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals should send a serious wake-up call to law enforcement tactical teams across the nation. At issue was the use of “flash bangs” and automatic firearms in the apprehension of a wanted felon who engaged officers and the community with gunfire.

Though the 6th Circuit covers only Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the decisions of Federal Appellate Courts are reviewed and strongly considered when similar cases are reviewed by the other Circuits. The case may only be binding within the 6th Circuit, but its language and tone will be felt across the nation.

The use of armored vehicles, like this LENCO Bear Cat, increased after 9-11.

On June 23, 2015 the United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considered the use of a SWAT team to execute a search warrant, as it relates to the people’s right to be free from excessive force. The decision of the 5th Circuit in Bailey v. Vinson should stand as a caution to police agencies that want to view the SWAT team as a fix-all tool.

The use of police SWAT teams has come under intense scrutiny in the last few years. With the media coining the term “militarization of police”, many civilians have come to question why police officers are looking like soldiers, and deploying from armored vehicles. Of course, this is all great for ratings and the media continues to stir up raw emotions by portraying American police officers in a decidedly negative light.

The use of Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) teams by police departments across the country started over 50 years. In fact, several departments had specialized teams to bust up Prohibition Era rackets, making specialized police “tactics” units nearly 100 years old.

However, recently the use of heavily armed and fatigue-clad police officers has come under increased scrutiny and question by the media, anti-police groups, and many of our citizens. This level of attention has caused some police commanders to respond with knee-jerk reactions, restricting the use of SWAT teams when their use is not only appropriate but necessary as well. So the discussion on the use of tactical teams is very important.

The National Tactical Officer’s Association National Conference has concluded in Kansas City. One of the courses I was able to attend was a 4-hour session covering lessons learned on barricaded subject calls. Although tailored for tactical officers, the training brings light to difficult situations faced by patrol officers as well. This will be the first in a series on the class.

What is a Barricaded Subject

A barricaded subject can be defined as a person or persons in a location that provides a means of spatial separation that assists them in avoiding apprehension from law enforcement. In short, a barricaded subject is in a position that inhibits law enforcement from easily taking them into custody.

Typically a barricaded subject is armed or has the means to cause harm to others before they are classified as a barricaded subject. Joe Drunk who pissed his neighbors off with noise and profanity would not be a barricaded subject just because he refused to answer his door for responding patrol officers.

Unfortunately, relatively little consideration is given for selecting personnel for a Of course, I’m a sniper. My name on the memorandum said I was!” Although a legitimate sniper school shouldn’t be afraid to flunk someone who can’t meet the course performance objectives, this is only the last link in the chain of a selection and assessment process which must have its origin within the agency.

Military Background

In order to select personnel, agencies often turn to people with military backgrounds. Due to the current reduction of our military forces, many highly trained personnel are now becoming available. If the decision is made to recruit these people, close attention must be paid to a document which they will be sure to have in their possession: Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214).

Contained in this form will be the official record of a candidate having attended a formal military sniper school. In order to read it, you have to know how to decipher it. Following are thumbnail sketches of some of the more likely military sniper schools, keeping in mind that course length and subject matter change from year to year and, sometimes, from class to class.